THE BAROQUE PERIOD
The Baroque period was an important time in the history of the world.
Galileo, Kepler and Newton were discovering new ways to explain the
universe. In music, art, architecture, and fashion, fancy decoration and
ornamentation became the rule. Both men and women wore wigs and coats
with lace.
Subtopics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Characteristics
Trends
Vocal
Instrumental
Composers
Throughout the Baroque period, composers continued to be employed by
the church and wealthy ruling class. This system of employment was
called the patronage system. As the patron paid the composer for each
work and usually decided what kind of piece the composer should write,
this limited their creative freedom.
Important Baroque composers include Johann Sebastian Bach, George
Frederic Handel, Johann Pachelbel, Georg Phillip Telemann, Henry
Purcell and Antonio Vivaldi.
(1600-1750CE)
BAROQUE CHARACTERISTICS
Form
Dances were popular during this period as well as preludes, fugues, suites,
toccatas and theme and variations. Binary and ternary forms were used frequently.
Harmony
Two or more melodies played at the same time created a musical texture called
counterpoint. There were frequent harmonic changes. Tonality was based on major
and minor keys.
Keyboard Instruments
The clavichord, harpsichord, and organ were used.
Rhythm
Emphasis was on strong beats, upbeats and fast-changing rhythmic motion.
Eighths, 16ths and triplets were frequently used.
Style
Phrase and expression marks were not used. Faster notes were normally played
smooth; slower notes were normally played not very smooth. Ornaments were used
frequently.
TRENDS IN BAROQUE MUSIC
Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach reacted to the Baroque trend of fancy ornamentation by creating
complex polyphonic music consisting of elaborate melodies layered top of each other. Often these
melodies contained trills and fast moving notes. The idea of using chords to accompany one or more
melody lines also became common. In addition, composers began to write dynamics and tempo markings
in their music. Improvisation also became common, even in the Church. Finally, composers began to use
their music to express emotions such as joy and anger.
VOCAL MUSIC
The Baroque period saw the birth of a new form of music called opera. Opera combined music, acting,
scenery, costumes, and props. Actors and actresses sing the script, or libretto. Some Operas are serious
(opera seria), and some are funny (opera buffa). The first opera was Orfeo, by Claudio Monteverdi.
Similar to the opera is the cantata. The Cantata, like the opera, is a series of arias and recitatives.
However, the cantata is not staged or acted.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
During the Baroque period, instrumental music became as important as vocal music. The Baroque period
saw a rise in music for flute, oboe, bassoon, trombone, valveless trumpets and horns, harpsichord, and
organ. Recorders became less popular, and viols were gradually replaced by violins, violas, and cellos.
Timpani was the only percussion instrument used in serious music.
Much of the music written for instruments contained several contrasting sections or movements. One
example is the concerto. Concertos were developed in the second half of the 17th century by Italian
composers like Torelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, and Corelli. Within 25 years, almost all major centres had
their own concerto composer. One of the most famous concertos is Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons.
Concertos sometimes featured one soloist or a group of soloists. Concertos featuring a group of soloists
were known as concerto grossos. Concerto grossos were written for a group of solo instruments and
orchestra, and usually contained three movements (fast-slow-fast).
Baroque
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Dietrich Buxtehude
Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) by Meagan & Stacey
Francois Couperin (1668-1733)
Girolamo Frescobaldi
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (1659-1729)
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Jacopo Peri
Georg Phillip Telemann
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) by Jean-Marc & Stephane
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Alessandro Scarlatti
Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672) by Haley & Erin
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) by Ben & Mark
Look at the worksheet the Baroque Period and answer the following questions
Dates of period being studied?_________________________________________________
Baroque characteristics:
1) Name three popular dances __________________________________________________
2) Two melodies played at the same time is called ___________________________________
3) Name three keyboard instruments ______________________________________________
4) Name some of the beats used __________________________________________________
5) How were faster notes played?________________________________________________
Trends in Baroque Music
2a. What did Baroque melodies usually contain? ____________________________________
2b. What did composers begin to write in their music? _______________________________
Vocal Music
3a. Name four things that opera combines. __________________________________________
3b. Name the two types of opera. __________________________________________________
3c. How is the cantata different from opera? ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Instrumental Music
4a. What became as important as vocal (singing) music? ______________________________
4b. The baroque period saw the rise of which instruments? _____________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4c. Which instrument became less popular? ___________________________
4d. What were viols replaced by? _________________________________________________
4e. What was the only percussion instrument? _______________________________________
4f. What do you call a form of music for many instruments that features a soloist? _____________
5. Name 2 Composers you might like to write a report on
1st choice. ______________________________________________________________
2nd choice. ______________________________________________________________